Malala Fund @malalafund

We created Assembly for girls around the world to speak on the issues that matter most to them. To that end, we’re dedicated to amplifying the voices of young Black women reflecting on racism and police violence. Send us your story through Assembly [link in bio] or tell us about the women we should hear from and tag their handles below. Black girls’ voices matter. Black girls’ stories matter. #BlackLivesMatter 👇🏽👇🏿👇🏾

5 days ago

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5 days ago

#MondayMotivation : “If girls learn one thing from my life so far, I hope it’s that speaking out about the issues they care about can make a difference, no matter their age.” — @malala

2 weeks ago

A month in the life of a 16-year-old in Germany during the pandemic:
MONDAY, 16 MARCH
Today seemed to be like a normal day, any normal day. Except it wasn’t. We had breakfast at around 7:30 a.m. which is not normal for a Monday. We usually leave around that time to bike to school. But on this Monday the schools were closed.
SUNDAY, 22 MARCH
In the evening at precisely 6 p.m. another “light” was to happen all across Germany: A balcony concert. This concept was founded in Italy where people still aren’t allowed to leave their houses, everyone gathered on their balconies and sang together or played an instrument if they could. It gave people the strength and the certainty of surviving this whole mess together. We opened our window and played [clarinet] as loud as we could, but no one actually listened and no one else knew about it in our neighborhood. It was still nice though.
THURSDAY, 26 MARCH
I woke up and it seemed like it was a normal day. Not normal normal, but corona normal. I made breakfast and prepared for the numbers of the day as usual.
MONDAY, 30 MARCH
Today was more of a special day as me and my siblings were to have a concert in the retirement home.
WEDNESDAY, 1 APRIL
This morning seemed normal, except for some great news: The number of newly infected people in Germany was sinking! This was really necessary in order to help the health care system and to relieve the hospitals. I had not expected that to happen nor did anyone else. -
In Malala Fund's Roll Call series, girls around the take us into their daily lives — their aspirations, their struggles, their friendships and families — all in their own words. This month, girls are sharing about their time at home during the pandemic.
Read more at the link in our bio.

2 weeks ago

A month in the life of a 17-year-old international swimmer during the pandemic:
TUESDAY, 17 MARCH
Schools haven’t shut, but my coach has just announced that swimming will be shut indefinitely. At this point, everyone was just sobbing as we had our main competition this weekend, which has also been cancelled and all the weeks of preparation have become futile. My parents are keeping me home from school because my dad is working on the front line as a doctor and doesn’t want me or my brother to increase our chances of contracting the virus at a public place like school.
WEDNESDAY, 1 APRIL
My dad has woken up with a small fever, which is slightly alarming. He is now self-isolating in my parents’ bedroom. I am not too surprised he caught the virus, but I am still worried because it is a serious and very infectious virus.
SATURDAY, 11 APRIL
My grandparents call us every day from Nepal to see how my dad is doing and we try to reassure them. My grandparents have also started to bake more. They used to bake when they were younger, but they have reignited their passion as all the jobs in Nepal have been but on halt. They have time to do the things they used to do now such as baking and gardening.
SATURDAY, 25 APRIL
School is now in full swing and I am preparing for my mock exams. My school friends and I set up a Saturday night Zoom call today to talk to each other. It is small things like this that make the lockdown that a bit better. I think it is important right now to take the time to reflect on everything and understand that this virus will have a huge impact on how we as human beings are to go forward in life. The death toll fluctuates between 700 and 900 deaths every day and the virus is showing no signs of stopping. I feel scared and worried but have to continue the lockdown with a positive mindset and hope.
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In Malala Fund's Roll Call series, girls around the take us into their daily lives — their aspirations, their struggles, their friendships and families — all in their own words. This month, girls are sharing about their time at home during the pandemic.
Read more at the link in our bio.

2 weeks ago

A week in the life of a 14-year-old Indian student during the pandemic:
MONDAY, 6 APRIL
Today I woke up at 7:30 a.m. By that time, my mother and Nani (that’s what we call a maternal grandmother in India ) were awake. After brushing my teeth and all, my mother asked me to come with her for a morning walk. Initially I refused, but then I reluctantly went with her. Normally we would go to a big park for a walk, however, it has been locked due to the coronavirus.
WEDNESDAY, 8 APRIL
Until 4:30 p.m., my whole family watched two episodes of “Ramayana,” a very famous television series based on ancient India's very famous book by the same name. Afterwards, we go for a light nap or do chores like washing the utensils, washing the clothes or folding dry clothes, and then we study. We all have made a habit of washing the utensils we use ourselves so that one person does not have all the load. After 7 p.m., we go outside and play hopscotch or play any game indoors only. After 9 p.m., me, my Nani and my sister play Ludo.
FRIDAY, 10 APRIL
Today I woke up late at 9 a.m. again. I was still feeling tired. One thought crossing my mind very frequently these days is that I am going to turn 15 in a month. My birthday is on 9 May. My online classes take almost three hours (including the breaks ) today. That is a good thing because otherwise I would have been so bored.
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In Malala Fund's Roll Call series, girls around the take us into their daily lives — their aspirations, their struggles, their friendships and families — all in their own words. This month, girls are sharing about their time at home during the pandemic.
Read more at the link in our bio.

2 weeks ago

#TuesdayThoughts : “Will our leaders recognize the power of millions of girls to grow economies, reduce conflict and transform their communities if given access to 12 years of education? For a safer, healthier and wealthier world for all of us, I hope the answer is yes.” — @malala

3 weeks ago

LIVE NOW: Malala Fund's editorial manager @tessjthomas talks to @shesthefirst about journalism, amplifying voices and writing for a girl-focused publication. Go watch if you’re interested contributing to Assembly or want great advice on sharing your story. Link in bio.

3 weeks ago

Did you hear that Malala Fund's Assembly won the 2020 Webby Award for best email newsletter?! @thewebbyawards is the leading international awards organisation honouring excellence on the internet and we are so excited that our by girls, for girls digital publication received this recognition. Through Assembly, Malala Fund is helping girls around the world share their stories. SUBSCRIBE now and learn about the next generation of female leaders. Link in our bio.

3 weeks ago

#MondayMotivation : “For girls who are dedicated to bringing change in the world, it’s important that, at the same time, they also nurture and focus on building themselves. The world that you want to create will have a greater impact if we educate, empower and equip ourselves with more knowledge and skills.” — @Malala

#DearClassof2020 , how are you celebrating graduation? Are you dressing up, decorating your cap, baking yourself a cake? Maybe you're following your family, school or community's traditions — or maybe you're inventing something new! Whatever you're doing, we want to hear all about it. Send us a video for a chance to be featured in @youtube 's virtual graduation on Saturday, June 6. Find the submission form at the link in our bio. 🎓

4 weeks ago

👋🏾 Hey, class of 2020! We know what school meant to you, how hard you worked on your final assignments and exams — and how much you were looking forward to graduation. The ceremonies you were expecting may be canceled, but we can still honour your achievements. This month and next, Malala Fund is celebrating this year’s graduating class on all our platforms. Stay tuned for these virtual events!

4 weeks ago

Are you caught up with the latest stories in Malala Fund's Assembly? 👇🏽👇🏽
✨Members of South Africa’s Ndlovu Youth Choir ( @choirafrica ) discuss their hit song about preventing the spread of COVID-19
✨Recent college graduate @alexabottura talks to Malala Fund about putting together the hit Instagram Live series, “Kitchen Quarantine,” featuring her father, Michelin-starred chef @massimobottura
✨From Pakistan to Brazil and Guatemala, girls share how they’re keeping up with their studies during the pandemic
✨Malala Fund's very own advocacy coordinator Laura Denham recommends a reading list featuring some of her favourite recent articles that "explore the ways in which girls and women are experiencing the crisis"
✨Two Indonesian teens discuss why their country needs better menstrual health education
✨16-year-old student Charlotte Becker from Germany writes about finding positivity amid the panic
✨Mexican student activist, entreprenuer and @stateofyouth board member @mariannavila_ wants you to know how you can help raise awareness so governments respond to our concerns about gender inequality around the world
✨14-year-old Samagya writes about what it's like being a student in India right now
✨Twin sisters and activists Maryam and Nivaal ( @theworldwithmnr ) tell us how they made their first documentary
✨15-year-old broadcast news presenter @tia_sinclair shares what a week in her life looks like
Read these stories and more at the link in our bio.

last month

We asked Assembly readers around the world what they'e doing to stay positive during this challenging time. Here are some of their answers:
🔅“During these rough times of the pandemic, I like to stay at home painting, playing the piano and spending quality time with my family. It keeps me distracted from all the chaos.” — Diana, 16, Mexico
🔅“With the 24-hour news cycle, it’s difficult to not constantly feel just a little worried or paranoid. I find that the best thing for me to do is to pick up the projects I’ve forgotten about and start new ones to keep myself occupied. Along with my mum and sister, I have started a little project to sew reusable sanitary pads for some girls in Zimbabwe. Lately, I’ve also started learning to make bread, it’s the kind of task that takes enough time to enjoy both the process and the result.” — Raramai, 19, from South Africa and Zimbabwe, living in Denmark
🔅“I think about all the things I want to do when this is all over. I call my friends and ask them how they are doing and sometimes I just listen to them breathing while doing my homework because that makes me feel safe and good and normal. I write something every day: I write about my feelings and the things I do every day and about my dreams and my fears during these crazy times.” — Martta, 14, Finland
🔅”As this pandemic is having such a great impact on our daily lives, including not going to school, not meeting friends and family, and not being able to go outside as much, we must stay positive. I am staying positive by helping others and performing random acts of kindness such as assisting neighbours and reaching out to people in need. Despite the negative effects on our lives, I feel this pandemic has brought my family and community closer together while showing us what is important in life and giving us time to reflect on how our choices impact the world around us.” — Arissa, 14, Canada
Go to the link in our bio to read what girls around the world are saying about topics that matter to them.

last month

Ramadan Kareem to everyone observing. 🌙

last month

Nigeria’s first female skeleton Olympian @simisleighs shares her perspective as an athlete, and tips on staying at home.

last month

Paper craft artist @zannist from Kerala, India shares a tutorial on how to make a mini photo album.
Watch our highlights to see young women from around the world share ideas on how you can spend time at home.

last month

We asked French graphic artist Aurélia Durand ( @4ur3lia ) to show us how she makes some of her fun, colourful drawings. Here’s what she sent 😍 🌈 Check out our highlights for more tips and tutorials from young women around the world on activities you can do at home.

last month

#MondayMotivation : 19-year-old Brazilian student @raphaelegodinho wants us to be our own leaders during this pandemic. “We cannot wait for our leaders to lead. Let’s show them the way through our example.” Read more on Assembly at the link in our bio.

last month

#COVID19 will disproportionately affect girls and young women. Click the link in our bio to learn more about pandemics and education – and how our governments can mitigate the impacts on girls.

Mar 2020

📣📣 Attention readers in the U.S. and Canada - we have exciting news! For 24 hours, starting at 12:00 am ET, @Malala and her publisher @littlebrownyoungreaders are giving away #IAmMalala e-books *for free* 🎉🎉 You can download your copy at the link in our bio or from any retailer of your choice.

Mar 2020

“My dream career is to be an astronaut because it is a place where men have more prominence. I want to give voice to women by saying that even the universe is not the limit.” — Ana Gabriely, 15, Brazil ( @_ .anagabyh )
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We asked girls around the world to tell us about their future jobs. From advocating for animal rights to building olive oil empires and making women-led films, girls have great plans for themselves — and our world. With help from illustrator @joelle_avelino , we brought their ambition to life. This week leading up to #InternationalWomensDay , watch this space to see what girls are saying about their dream careers.

Mar 2020

“My dream career is to start a company for our olive trees. When I was a little kid, my parents bought multiple fields to grow olive trees and now, one of my biggest goals is to take those fields, maybe buy some more and start a company. I would like to sell olives, olive oil and every other product that I can create using olives around the world! In order to make all of this financially possible, I will become a pharmacist. Even though I don’t yet know how to handle all of this, I’m sure I’ll learn at some point in my life. I really believe in myself!” — Öykü, 17, Turkey
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We asked girls around the world to tell us about their future jobs. From advocating for animal rights to building olive oil empires and making women-led films, girls have great plans for themselves — and our world. With help from illustrator @joelle_avelino , we brought their ambition to life. This week leading up to #InternationalWomensDay , watch this space to see what girls are saying about their dream careers.